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Sample Business Contracts

Employment Agreement - US Audiotex Corp., Imperial Bank and Michael Barrett

Employment Forms

  • Employment Contract. Employers can customize an employment agreement that states the salary, benefits, working hours and other important provisions for their new or existing employee.
  • Consulting Agreement. Answer simple questions to build a contract with a consultant. Specify the services rendered, when payment is due, as well as IP rights.
  • Commission Agreement. Employers who compensate their sales employees based on commissions can prepare an agreement to reduce misunderstandings by specifying the base salary and how commissions are calculated.
  • Executive Employment Agreement. Companies may offer their business executives a contract that is different from the one provided to their regular employees. Executive employment agreements may be more complex because the compensation structure may include a combination of salary and commissions, provide for bonuses based on sales, stock or other financial targets, and include non-compete, confidentiality and severance provisions.
  • Sales Representative Contract. Independent sales representatives offer companies the potential to increase the sale of products or services without the burden of increasing headcount. Both parties should understand how commissions are calculated, when commissions will be paid, as well as how the representative will treat confidential information from the company and whether the representative may also sell a competing line of products or services.
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                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                              --------------------

     This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is made as of September 1999
                                      ---------
by and among U.S. Audiotex Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
                                                                     -------
Imperial Bank ("Imperial) and Michael Barrett ("Executive").
                --------                        ---------

                                    RECITALS
                                    --------

     WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive to serve as Chief Internet
and Sales Officer of the Company on the terms and conditions herein provided;

     WHEREAS, Executive desires to become an employee of the Company on the
terms and conditions herein provided;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained
and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

     1.  Employment.  The Company hereby employs Executive, subject to the terms
         ----------
and conditions herein provided.  During the Employment Period (as defined
below), Executive shall faithfully and diligently perform his duties under this
Agreement and shall use his best efforts to promote the interests of the
Company.

     2.  Term.  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the initial term of
         ----
employment of Executive by each Company under this Agreement shall be for the
period commencing on the date hereof (the "Commencement Date") and expiring when
                                           -----------------
terminated as provided in Section 8 hereof (the "Expiration Date").  For
                                                 ---------------
purposes hereof, such period is referred to herein as the "Employment Period").
                                                           -----------------

     3.   Executive's Obligations.
          -----------------------

     In his capacity as an executive of the Company, Executive shall report
directly to the Chief Executive Officer, Thomas R. Evans. Executive shall at all
times comply with and be subject to the Company's policies, procedures,
directives and regulations as established by the Company from time to time.
Executive accepts such employment, responsibility and authority and agrees to
perform the services of Chief Internet and Sales Officer of the Company and such
other services as shall from time to time be reasonably assigned to him and
agrees to devote all of his working time, skill and attention to such services.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree that the Executive may
continue any educational, charitable and community activities (including
membership on the board of  educational, charitable or community organizations)
in which he is engaged on the date hereof and may engage in other educational,
charitable and community activities (including
<PAGE>

membership on the board of educational, charitable or community organizations)
and serve on boards of directors of other companies provided such activities do
not materially interfere with the performance of his duties to the Company.

     4.  Executive's Compensation and Benefits.  During the Employment Period,
         -------------------------------------
as full compensation to the Executive for his performance of the services
hereunder and for his acceptance of the responsibilities described herein, the
Company agrees to pay the Executive, and the Executive agrees to accept, the
following salary and other benefits:

     4.1  Base Salary.  From the Commencement Date of this agreement the Company
          -----------
shall pay the Executive a salary at the annual rate of $200,000.  The base
salary due the Executive hereunder (the "Base Salary") shall be payable in
                                         -----------
accordance with the Company's standard payment policy, less any amounts required
to be withheld by the Company from such Base Salary pursuant to the benefit
plans in which Executive participates pursuant to Section 4.5 and applicable
laws and regulations.

     4.2  Bonus.  (a)  The Executive shall be eligible to receive annual bonuses
          -----
(each a "Bonus") at the discretion of, and in the amounts and at the times
         -----
determined by, the compensation committee.  Executive agrees that there can be
no assurance that the Compensation Committee will grant a Bonus in any year
except that the Executive shall be paid a guaranteed bonus in the minimum amount
of $100,000  in the first year of his employment.  The guaranteed payment shall
be paid in two installments, six months and twelve months from the commencement
of the executives employment with the company.

     4.3   Long Term Incentives.  On the Commencement Date, the Company will
           --------------------
grant Executive options to acquire 150,000 shares of its common stock, which
represent 3 % of the Company's Fully Diluted Common Stock on the Commencement
Date (inclusive of the 150,000 share option grant to Executive).  On the IPO
Date, the Company will grant executive additional options to acquire such number
of shares of its common stock so that, when combined with the options granted in
the immediately preceding sentence, Executive will have received pursuant to
this Section 4.3 options to acquire shares of common stock equal to an aggregate
of three percent (3 %) of the Fully Diluted Common Stock of the Company
outstanding as of the IPO Date (inclusive of the option grant to Executive).
For purposes of this Section 4.3, "Fully Diluted Common Stock" shall mean the
                                   --------------------------
aggregate of (i) the number of shares of Company common stock authorized and
outstanding determined on an as-converted basis and (ii) the number of shares of
Company common stock subject to outstanding options, warrants and other rights
to acquire Company common stock determined on an as-converted bases.  Such
options will be non-transferable and shall be exercisable at any time for a ten
year period after the date of grant.  The exercise price of such options shall
be equal to $4.00 per share.  All of the option shares shall initially be
unvested and subject to repurchase by the Company at the exercise price paid per
share.  Subject to Section 8 hereof, Executive shall acquire a vested interest
in, and the Company's repurchase right shall accordingly lapse with respect to
one-third of the option shares granted pursuant to this Section 4.3 on the first
anniversary of the Commencement Date and the remaining option shares in a series
of twenty four (24) successive equal monthly installments
<PAGE>

during the Employment Period. Following termination of the Employment Period,
Executive shall acquire a vested interest in, and the Company's repurchase right
shall accordingly terminate with respect to, all of any unvested option shares
for which the Company did not exercise its repurchase right within thirty (30)
days following such termination. Executive shall be entitled to pay the exercise
price of such options in the same manner and on the same terms as the Company
offers to members of its senior management who receive similar options.

     4.4  Other Benefit Plans.  Subject to all eligibility requirements, and to
          -------------------
the extent permitted by law, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in
any and all employee benefit plans (including, but not limited to, retirement,
life insurance, medical, dental, disability, and savings plans) established or
maintained by the Company from time to time for the benefit of their employees
(or executives) in general.

     4.5  Vacation.  The Executive shall be entitled to four weeks paid vacation
          --------
per annum.

     4.6   Shareholder Rights.  If, at any time, Imperial is granted "piggy-
           ------------------
back" registration rights with respect to its shares of the Company's common
stock, Executive shall, at such time, be granted "piggy-back" registration
rights similar to those granted to Imperial, subject to customary underwriters
carve-backs and a carve-back in proportion to such shares sold by Imperial, if
any.  Executive shall have "tag-along" rights, on a proportionate basis, on any
sales of Company shares by Imperial prior to consummation of an initial public
offering by the Company.

     5.  Reasonable Expenses.  The Company will reimburse the Executive for all
         -------------------
reasonable business expenses, including travel and lodging, which are properly
incurred by him in the performance of his duties hereunder, upon presentation of
proper vouchers therefor and in accordance with written policies established
from time to time by the Company for such reimbursements.

     6.  Assistance.  Executive shall make himself reasonably available, upon
         ----------
the request of the Company, to testify or otherwise assist in litigation,
arbitration, or other disputes involving the Company, or any of its officers,
directors, employees, subsidiaries or affiliates, during the Employment Period.

     7.   Covenant Not to Compete.
          -----------------------

     7.1  General Covenant.  During the Employment Period and for a period of
          ----------------
one year after the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Sections 8.3, 8.4,
or 8.5.1 (the "Non-Compete Period"), except in pursuit of his services as an
               ------------------
officer and employee of the Company, Executive shall not, either individually or
as a partner, joint venturer, consultant, shareholder, member or Representative
(as defined below) of another Person (as defined below) or otherwise, directly
or indirectly, participate in, engage in, or have a financial or management
interest in, promote, or assist any other Person in any business operation or
any enterprise if such business operation or enterprise engages, or would
engage, in a Restricted Business in a Restricted Area; provided,
                                                       --------
<PAGE>

however, the Executive may own up to one percent of the outstanding equity
-------
securities of any Person.

     For purposes of this Section 7.1:  "Person" means an individual, a
                                         ------
partnership, a limited liability company, a joint venture, a corporation, a
trust, an unincorporated organization, a division or operating group of any of
the foregoing, a government or any department or agency thereof or any other
entity.

     "Representative" means any officer, director, principal, agent, employee,
      --------------
consultant or other representative of a Person.

     "Restricted Business" means any business involved in the processing of
      -------------------
payments to government entities or any other business in which the Company is
actively engaged on the date of termination of the Employment Period.

     "Restricted Area" means any country in which the Company or its
      ---------------
subsidiaries conducts a Restricted Business on the date of termination of the
Employment Period.

     7.2   Nonsolicitation.  During the Non-Compete Period and for a period of
           ---------------
one year following termination of the Agreement, except a termination pursuant
to Section 8.5.2, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly (i) employ or seek
to employ any person who is at the date of termination of this Agreement, an
officer, general manager or director or equivalent or more senior level employee
of the Company, their subsidiaries or affiliates or otherwise solicit,
encourage, cause or induce any such employee of the Company, its subsidiaries or
affiliates to terminate such employee's employment with the Company, its
subsidiaries or affiliates for the employment of another company (including for
this purpose the contracting with any person who was an independent contractor
(excluding consultant) of the Company during such period), except for persons
who are recruited by Executive to the Company within ninety (90) days after the
Commencement Date and are identified in writing by Executive to the Company
after the end of such period, or (ii) take any action that would interfere with
the relationship of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates with their
respective suppliers and franchisees, except to the extent permitted by the
Board.

     7.3  Enforcement.  Executive agrees that all restrictions and agreements
          -----------
contained in this Section 7, including, without limitation, those relating to
duration and restricted territory, are necessary and fundamental to the
protection of the business of the Company and are reasonable and valid.
Executive agrees that the remedy at law for any breach of this Agreement will be
inadequate, and that the damages flowing from such breach are not readily
susceptible to being measured in monetary terms.  Accordingly, Executive agrees
that upon breach of this Section 7, the Company shall be entitled to immediate
injunctive relief and may obtain a temporary order restraining any threatened
further breach.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to limit the
Company's remedies at law or in equity for any breach by Executive of any of the
provisions of this Agreement that may be pursued or availed of by the Company.
Nothing contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting the Company from
pursuing any other remedies available to it for such breach or threatened
breach, including the recovery of damages from the Executive.
<PAGE>

     Although the restrictions contained in Sections 7. 1 and 7.2 are considered
by the parties to be fair and reasonable in the circumstances, it is recognized
that restrictions of such nature may fail for technical reasons, and accordingly
it is hereby agreed that if any of such restrictions shall be adjudged to be
void or unenforceable for whatever reason, but would be valid if part of the
wording thereof were deleted, or the period thereof reduced or the area dealt
with thereby reduced in scope, the restriction contained in Sections 7.1 and 7.2
shall be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law, and the parties
consent and agree that such scope or wording may be accordingly judicially
modified in any proceeding brought to enforce such restrictions.

     Notwithstanding that the Executive's employment hereunder may be terminated
as provided in Section 8, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect
insofar as is necessary to enforce the covenants and agreements of the Executive
contained in this Section 7.

     8.    Termination.
           -----------

     8.1   Termination by the Company Without Cause.  The Company may terminate
           ----------------------------------------
the Employment Period upon sixty (60) days' prior written notice to Executive
for any reason other than the reasons specified in Sections 8.2, 8.3 and 8.4.
Upon termination of the Employment Period pursuant to this Section 8.1, neither
the Company on the one hand, nor Executive, on the other hand, will have any
liability or obligation to the other in respect of this Agreement, except that
(A) for the one-year period following the date of such notice, Executive shall
be entitled to continue to (i) receive the Base Salary then in effect and (ii)
to the extent permitted by such plans, participate in the employee benefit plans
maintained by the Company in which Executive participated as of the date of such
notice, or, to the extent not permitted by such plans, receive equivalent
benefits or cash payments on an individual basis, (B) in addition to options or
shares that are vested through the date of termination of the Employment Period,
all of the remaining unvested options or shares as of the date of termination of
the Employment Period (such number of options or shares hereinafter referred to
as the "Severance Shares") shall immediately vest, notwithstanding anything to
        ----------------
the contrary in any other agreement between Executive and the Company and (C)
Executive shall continue to be entitled to the Guarantee Payment set forth in
Section 4.2.  In the event of any termination of employment hereunder, the
executive shall be under no obligation to seek other employment and there shall
be no offset against any amounts due Executive under this Agreement on account
of any remuneration attributable to any subsequent employment that Executive may
obtain.  If Executive dies after a termination of employment but prior to
receiving all amounts due him, the remaining amounts shall be paid to his
designated beneficiary or, if none, his estate.

     8.2  Death.  If Executive dies during the Employment Period, the Employment
          -----
Period applicable to the Company shall automatically terminate and all
obligation of the parties shall terminate effective the date of death, except
for obligations under any and all employee benefit plans maintained by the
Company in which the Executive participates as of the date of termination, for
which the terms of the plans shall govern.  However, the Severance Shares shall
immediately vest, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any other
agreement between the Executive and the Company.
<PAGE>

     8.3  Disability.  If Executive becomes Disabled (as hereinafter defined)
          ----------
during the Employment Period, the Company shall be entitled to terminate his
employment and the Employment Period upon written notice to Executive or a
person acting on his behalf.  In the event of such termination, Executive shall
be released from any duties hereunder, and for the one year period following
such termination the Company shall be required to pay Executive the Base Salary
then in effect ("Salary Continuation Period").  In such event, to the extent
permitted by such plans, Executive shall also continue to participate during the
Salary Continuation Period in the employee benefit plans maintained by the
Company in which Executive participates as of the date of termination. In
addition, the Severance Shares shall immediately vest, notwithstanding anything
to the contrary in any other agreement between the Executive and the Company.

     For purposes of this Agreement, "Disabled" shall mean mental or physical
                                      --------
impairment or incapacity rendering Executive substantially unable to perform his
duties under this Agreement for a period of longer than 120 days out of any 360
day period during the Employment Period.  A determination of whether Executive
is Disabled shall be made by the Company in its sole discretion upon its own
initiative after obtaining certification from a duly licensed physician or upon
request of Executive or a person acting on his behalf.

     8.4  Termination by the Company for Cause.  The Company may terminate the
          ------------------------------------
Employment Period effective immediately upon written notice to Executive in the
event of any of the following:

                (i) Executive's material breach of any material term or
          condition of this Agreement, such breach continuing unremedied for 30
          days after written notice thereof from the Company specifying the acts
          constituting the breach and requesting that they be remedied, it being
          understood that issues with respect to the quality of Executive's
          performance or results thereof shall not be grounds for termination
          under this Section 8.4;

                (ii) Executive's

                     (A) personal dishonesty, fraud, misappropriation, willful
          misconduct or breach of fiduciary duty, in each such case materially
          harmful to the Company's property, personnel or business operations,
          or materially damaging to the Company's relationships with its
          customers, clients or employees or materially detrimental to the
          goodwill of the Company; or

                     (B) intentional failure to perform the duties of his
          employment or his other obligations hereunder, or any continuing
          action by Executive materially detrimental to the goodwill of the
          Company or materially damaging to the Company's relationships with its
          customers, clients or employees, which non-performance or actions
          remain unremedied for 30 days after written notice thereof from the
          Company specifying in detail the non-performance or actions and
          requesting that they be remedied, it being understood that issues with
          respect
<PAGE>

          to the quality of Executive's performance or results thereof shall not
          be grounds for termination under this Section 8.4;

                (iii) Executive's pleading guilty or no-contest to, or
          conviction of, a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or fraud;

                (iv) misappropriation (or attempted misappropriation) of
          company's funds or property or of a business opportunity of the
          Company, including attempting to secure or securing any personal
          profit in connection with any transaction entered into on behalf of
          the Company;

                (v) Executive's conviction of any criminal offense involving
          dishonesty or breach of trust or money laundering, or Executive's
          agreement to enter into a pretrial diversion or similar program in
          connection with a prosecution for such offense;

                (vi) Executive's excessive drunkenness, use of illegal drugs or
          abuse of any controlled substance; or

                (vii) Executive's excessive absenteeism not related to
          Executive's illness, which absenteeism remains unremedied for 30 days
          after written notice thereof requesting that it be remedied.

     Upon termination of the Employment Period pursuant to this Section 8.4, the
Executive will be bound by the provisions of Section 7 and the Company will not
have any liability to Executive in respect of this Agreement, including, without
limitation, claims for damages or liability to the Company by Executive for
compensation, severance payments and other benefits which would have accrued to
Executive hereunder after termination; provided, however, that all compensation,
                                       --------  -------
benefits and reimbursements accrued through the date of termination shall be
paid to Executive at the times normally paid by the Company.  Upon termination
of the Employment Period pursuant to this Section 8.4, all of Executive's
unvested options to acquire share of common stock of the Company shall be
canceled.

     8.5     Termination by Executive.
             ------------------------

     8.5.1   Voluntary Termination.  Executive may terminate the Employment
             ---------------------
Period upon sixty (60) days' written notice to the Company and, upon such
termination, the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 8.4 shall apply,
except in the event that Executive terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section
8.5.2.  Upon termination of the Employment Period pursuant to this Section
8.5.1, all of Executive's unvested options to acquire shares of common stock of
the Company shall be canceled.  Executive agrees, in connection with the
termination of the Employment Period pursuant to this Section 8.5.2, not to
disclose his intent to resign.

     8.5.2  Termination for Good Reason.  Executive may terminate the Employment
            ---------------------------
Period at any time for Good Reason.  "Good Reason" shall mean (i) a material
                                      -----------
diminution of
<PAGE>

Executive's authority, duties and responsibilities as provided in Section 3,
(ii) a reduction in or failure to pay timely Executive's base salary, or (iii)
the appointment of any person to a superior executive position, (iv) any
relocation of the Company's corporate headquarters to a place 90 miles or more
outside of New York City, (v) the Company's breach of any material term or
condition of this Agreement and (vi) after expiration of the six (6) month
period following a Change in Control (as defined in Section 9.2); provided,
                                                                  --------
however, that each of the reasons set forth in (i) through (vi) of the preceding
-------
sentence shall be identified in written notice thereof delivered by Executive to
the Company specifying the nature of the reason and the Company shall have been
afforded a period of thirty (30) days to respond to such notice and cure the
condition set forth in such notice if capable of being cured.  If Executive
terminates this Agreement for Good Reason, the provisions of Section 8.1 shall
apply and Executive shall be bound by the provisions of Section 7.

     9.    Change in Control.
           -----------------

     9.1   Acceleration of Options.  If a Change in Control occurs, all of
           -----------------------
Executive's options to acquire shares of common stock of the Company shall
immediately vest and shall become immediately exercisable and all of Executive's
option shares shall immediately vest and cease to be subject to repurchase
rights, if any, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any other agreement
between Executive and the Company.  In addition, if the Company terminates the
Employment Period without cause as provided in Section 8.1 and within three (3)
months thereafter the Company enters into a definitive agreement for a Change in
Control (as defined in Section 9.2) occurs, Executive shall be entitled to the
benefits set forth in this Section 9.1.

     9.2   Definition of Change of Control.  For purposes of this Section 9,
           -------------------------------
"Change in Control" shall mean:  (i) the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or
------------------
other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a
series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company and subsidiaries (if any), taken as a whole to any Person other than to
the Company or one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries; (ii) the Company
consolidates with or merges into another Person (other than a subsidiary) or any
Person (other than a subsidiary) consolidates with, or merges into, the Company,
in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding shares of
common stock of the Company are changed into or exchanged for cash, securities
or other property, other than any such transaction where the holders of the
shares of common stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own,
directly or indirectly, not less than a controlling interest in the voting
equity of the surviving or resulting Person immediately after such transaction;
(iii) the consummation of any transaction or series of transaction (including.
without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any
Person (other than a subsidiary of the Company), becomes the beneficial owner
(as such term is defined in Rule l3d-3 and Rule l3d-5 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), directly or indirectly, of fifty percent
(50%) or more of the voting equity of the Company; or (iv) following the
Company's initial public offering, a change in the composition of the Company's
Board of Directors, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the incumbent
directors are directors who either (A) had been directors of the Company on the
Commencement Date or the date 24 months prior to the date of the event that may
constitute a Change in Control (the "original directors") or (B) were elected,
                                     ------------------
or nominated for election, to the Company's Board
<PAGE>

of Directors with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the aggregate
of the original directors who were still in office at the time of the election
or nomination and the directors whose election or nomination was previously so
approved. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term "Change in Control" shall not
                                                   -----------------
include any transaction or series of transactions with or to (A) any affiliate
of the Company, (B) any entity or successor entity in which the Company holds at
least a majority of the total voting power of such entity or successor entity
(or retains the right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect
or designate for election a majority of the members of the board of directors or
other governing body of such entity or successor entity), (C) any entity or
successor entity in which no person or entity holds a greater percentage of the
total voting power of such entity or successor entity than the Company's
percentage voting interest in such entity or successor entity or (D) any entity
formed at the direction of the Company in connection with obtaining financing
for the Company or any of its subsidiaries under an arrangement that provides
the Company with an option to reacquire its assets or other properties or other
similar financing arrangement.

     10.  Insurance.  The Company will have the right at its own cost and
          ---------
expense to apply for and secure in its own name, or otherwise, life, health or
accident insurance or any or all of them covering Executive, and Executive
agrees to submit to the usual and customary medical examination and otherwise to
cooperate with the Company in connection with the procurement of any such
insurance, and any claims thereunder. The company agrees to pay the executives
current Cobra payment for a period of four months following the commencement of
the executives employment with the company.

     11.   Confidentiality; Books and Records; Company Property.  Except in
           ----------------------------------------------------
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, during the Employment Period
and thereafter, Executive shall keep secret and retain in strictest confidence,
and shall not use for the benefit of Executive or others, all confidential
matters and affairs relating to the Company.  Upon any termination of this
agreement Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company all confidential
information theretofore supplied to him, and each copy thereof, whether in his
possession or otherwise available to him, and shall certify in writing to the
Company that all analysis, studies and other documents that discuss or analyze
the business of the Company have been destroyed.  All papers, books and records
of every kind and description relating to the business and affairs of the
Company, whether or not prepared by Executive, and all property owned by the
Company shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company and Executive
shall surrender them to the Company upon request, during and after the
Employment Period.

     12.   Miscellaneous.
           -------------

     12.1  Notices.  All notices, requests, demands and other communications
           -------
which are required to be or may be given under this Agreement to any of the
other parties shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given
when (a) delivered in person, the day following dispatch by an overnight courier
service (such as Federal Express or UPS, etc.) or (b) five days after dispatch
by certified or registered first class mail, postage prepaid, return receipt
requested, to the party to whom the same is so given or made:
<PAGE>

     If to the Company,
     addressed to:

             U.S. Audiotex Corporation
             18 Crow Canyon Court
             Suite 300
             San Ramon, CA  94583
             Telephone:  (925) 838-7996
             Facsimile:  (925) 838-4395
             Attn:


     If to Executive,
     addressed to him at:

     12.2   Amendments.  This Agreement cannot be altered or otherwise amended
            ----------
except pursuant to an instrument in writing signed by each of the parties.

     12.3   Assignment.  Executive acknowledges that the services required of
            ----------
Executive hereunder are personal and that Executive may not assign this
Agreement or any rights or duties under this Agreement.  The Company may not
assign or otherwise transfer this Agreement to any other entity without the
prior written consent of Executive, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld.

     12.4   Entire Agreement.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement
            ----------------
between the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated herein and
supersedes all previous written or oral negotiations, commitments and
understandings.

     12.5   Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more
            ------------
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

     12.6   Headings.  All headings are inserted for convenience of reference
            --------
only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any such provisions
or of this Agreement, taken as an entirety.

     12.7   Severability.  If and to the extent that any court of competent
            ------------
jurisdiction holds any provision (or any part thereof) of this agreement to be
invalid or unenforceable, such holding shall in no way affect the validity or
enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement, but shall be confined in its
operation to the jurisdiction in which made and to the provisions of this
Agreement directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have
been rendered.
<PAGE>

     12.8   Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
            -------------
accordance with the laws of the State of New York without reference to the
conflicts of laws principles thereof.

     12.9   Binding Effects.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
            ---------------
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors, legal
representatives and assigns.

     12.10  Acquisitions, Mergers, Etc.  Nothing herein contained shall be
            ---------------------------
construed to prevent or limit any acquisition, consolidation, or merger of the
Company.

     12.11  Covenants, Etc.  Executive hereby covenants, warrants and represents
            ---------------
that (i) the execution of this Agreement and the discharge of his obligations
hereunder will not breach or conflict with any other contract, agreement or
understanding between Executive and any other party or parties; (ii) there are
no agreements or arrangements, whether written or oral, in effect which would
prevent Executive from rendering services to the Company during the term of this
Agreement; (iii) Executive has not made and will not make any commitment to do
any act in conflict with this Agreement; and (iv) the terms of this Agreement
have been fully explained to him, that he understands the nature and extent of
the rights and obligations provided under this Agreement, and that he has been
given the opportunity to be represented by legal counsel in the negotiation and
preparation of this Agreement.  The Company hereby covenants, warrants and
represents that  q (i) the execution of this Agreement and the discharge of its
obligations hereunder will not breach or conflict with any other contract,
agreement or understanding between the Company and any other party or parties,
(ii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement have been duly and validly
authorized by the Company; and (iii) this Agreement is binding upon and
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

     12.12  Waiver.  No consent or waiver, express or implied, by any party to
            ------
or of any breach or default by another party in performance by the breaching
party of its obligations under this Agreement shall be deemed or construed to be
a consent or waiver to or of any breach or default by the breaching party in the
performance by such breaching party of any other obligations of such breaching
party under this Agreement.  Failure on the part of any party to object to or
complain of any act or failure to act of any of the other parties or to declare
any of the other parties in default shall not constitute a waiver of any right
or remedy or the ability to object or complain or to declare any default at any
time in the future.

     12.13   Survival.  The provisions of Sections 5,7,8,11 and 12 shall survive
             --------
the termination of this Agreement.

     12.14   Legal Fees.  Each party will be responsible for their own legal
             ----------
fees and costs of counsel incurred in connection with negotiation and
preparation of this Agreement.

     12.15   Other Employment.  Executive hereby represents and warrants to the
             ----------------
Company that Executive is not prohibited from accepting employment with the
Company by any
<PAGE>

non-competition or other restriction contained in any employment agreement with
any other entity. Executive understands and agrees that any breach of this
representation or warranty that results in Executive being prohibited from
performing his duties under this Agreement will constitute a material breach for
purposed of Section 8.4 (i) of this Agreement, and on or at any time after it is
determined that Executive is so prohibited, the Company will be permitted to
terminate Executive's employment pursuant to Section 8.4.




     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement on
the day and year first above written.

                                         U.S. AUDIOTEX CORPORATION

                                         By: /s/ Thomas R. Evans
                                            _____________________________
                                            Name: Thomas R. Evans
                                            Title: Chairman & CEO



                                            /s/ Michael Barrett
                                            _____________________________
                                            Michael Barrett